The Crow Wing Soil and Water District (SWCD) awarded $36,500 in grants to local non-profit organizations in Crow Wing County (CWC) for four water quality protection projects.

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In 2011, Crow Wing SWCD received the grant funds through a competitive grant process from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) Community Partnership program, which helps build local capacity and address the priorities of county comprehensive local water plans.

Local organizations provide matching cash or in-kind dollars for the projects. Funding was provided by the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, Clean Water Fund, approved by voters in 2008.

“We are excited for this opportunity to not only bring locally paid sales tax dollars back to Crow Wing County but also to allow local citizens and community organizations to access the Clean Water funds and determine how they are spent,” said Melissa Barrick, SWCD district manager.

This spring, grant applications were accepted from citizens, businesses, non-profits, faith organizations and property owners associations. The applications were reviewed and ranked by an interagency team that included Crow Wing County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, University of Minnesota Extension, Thirty Lakes Watershed District and Crow Wing SWCD.

Five applications were submitted for a total of $77,622 in grant funding requests. SWCD Board of Supervisors approved the following applicants:

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